Hawthorn
Ancient Greeks used hawthorn berries for heart disease. The Greeks and Romans looked to hawthorn as a source of happiness and hope for the future. The berries were used by the Chinese for digestion and circulatory problems. Christian legend says that the crown of thorns that was placed upon the head of Christ was made from hawthorn. The crushed fruit or leaves were used as a poultice for their drawing powers to remove thorns and splinters for centuries in England. Native Americans believed that hawthorn was useful for rheumatism and heart problems.
This herb contains many different components which work together to benefit the heart and body. Hawthorn can both feed and strengthen the heart and arteries. It seems to work on the heart muscle to make it work more effectively. The herb may even help a damaged heart. Hawthorn contains some mild sedative properties, which can help when heart disorders are due to stress and with insomnia. Hawthorn has been used to treat and prevent arteriosclerosis, rapid heartbeat, feeble heartbeat, enlarged heart, angina, and breathing difficulties due to a lack of oxygen in the lungs. Some people recommend using hawthorn to protect against disease before symptoms occur.
Hawthorn is known for its ability to regulate arterial blood pressure. It increases the strength of the heart muscle and also works to increase coronary blood flow. This herb is great in helping to reduce the heart rate and lessen the heart’s workload.
Some studies have found that this extract is responsible for dilating the blood vessels, which results in reduced peripheral resistance. Hawthorn may also have some further cardio-protective effects that become pronounced after prolonged use. Research on 132 patients found substantial positive results with the use of this herb. These stage two stable heart failure patients had improved exercise tolerance, and a reduction in shortness of breath and fatigue after exercise. The researchers noted that for maximum effect, hawthorn must be used for one to two months. Cardiac improvement accelerates with long-term use and relatively high doses.
One of the most positive facts about hawthorn is its safety. This herb is believed to be safe for long-term use without side effects. Some experiments have found that hawthorn dilates the blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and strengthens the heart. This herb is commonly prescribed by German physicians to treat minor heart problems. Hawthorn also contains a mild sedative effect. This effect may contribute to a healthy heart. Stress, anxiety, and nervousness are often associated with heart conditions.
The berries and flowers of the hawthorn plant are used to provide alterative, antispasmodic, astringent, cardio-alterative, diuretic, sedative, and vasodilator properties. The primary nutrients found in hawthorn are choline, inositol, and vitamins A, B-complex, and C with bioflavonoids. Primarily, hawthorn is extremely beneficial in dealing with angina, arrhythmia, arteriosclerosis, high and low blood pressure, heart conditions, heart palpitations, and hypoglycemia.
Additionally, this herb is very helpful in treating arthritis, blood clots, edema, hypertension, insomnia, liver disorders, rheumatism, sleeplessness, and stress. For more information on the many beneficial effects provided by hawthorn, please feel free to contact a representative from your local health food store.
Hawthorn is also called thornapple and it is a common hedge plant across Europe. It is a plant that is recommended for water conservation. However, hawthorn also has many medicinal properties. In naturopathic or Chinese medicine, the dried Hawthorn berries are extensively used to bring relief in a number of ailments. Heart Disease Hawthorn berry is an effective treatment for many heart ailments and this fact makes it a very useful herb for older people. In fact, even as early as in the 1st century hawthorn is believed to have been used for this purpose. Irregular heart beat may be stabilized by the ingestion of hawthorn. This herb also reduces pain and discomfort that is associated with cardiovascular disorders. It is believed that hawthorn can treat mild to moderate heart failure. Overall heart function improves when this herb is taken as per physician’s orders. Symptoms of heart problems such as breathlessness may also be treated with hawthorn. Angina, caused as a result of restricted blood flow to the heart, is also treated with this herb. This is a common problem faced by elderly people diagnosed with arterial blocks. Regulates Cholesterol Blood vessels may be strengthened by the regular intake of hawthorn which also acts to reduce blood clots. Cholesterol levels in elderly patients may be controlled by the intake of this herb on a regular basis. It is the hawthorn tincture that is normally used to regulate cholesterol levels. When ingested, this tincture, made from the hawthorn berry, eliminates harmful LDL cholesterol from the blood stream. Destroys Free Radicals Another reason why hawthorn is used in treatment of elderly people is that it has antioxidants. Antioxidants destroy free radicals which are compounds that hasten the aging process by damaging cells. Simple old age problems such as wrinkling to serious ailments such as cancer and heart problems may arise from free radicals. The antioxidants in hawthorn are found most effective in curbing the damage done by free radicals. Atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries may also be effectively treated with hawthorn because of its remarkable anti oxidant properties. This property acts against the formation of plaque in the vessels supplying blood to the heart. Different Forms of Hawthorn Berry Hawthorn is ingested in many different forms. Liquid extracts of this berry are available in the market and so are tinctures and dry powder. Capsules and tablets are also taken by many people. The leaves and flowers are often made into a tea that has a bitter taste. Hawthorn has been in use by the Greeks as a medicinal herb for thousands of years. Native Americans are believed to have used the hawthorn berries to heal wounds and as an effective cure for diarrhea. Hawthorn also finds an important place in Chinese traditional medicine. The Chinese use this herb to treat heart diseases and cure stomach problems. The widespread use of these berries shows that the hawthorn is not just a decorative plant but also one that has many different medicinal benefits to offer. The berry is commonly used across Europe as a natural medicine and now it is gaining popularity in the U.S. too.
